Goldfinches visit backyard feeders most often in winter when wild seeds are harder to find!
Goldfinches - Facts for Kids
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Facts About Goldfinches For Kids
Goldfinches can crack open a seed and eat only the nutritious inside part in just a few seconds!
Goldfinches need to drink fresh water at least twice a day!
Goldfinches can tell if a seed is good to eat just by weighing it in their beak!
Life Cycle
Baby Goldfinches learn to fly when they’re about 13–16 days old!
A mother Goldfinch lays 4-6 pale blue eggs in each nest!
Goldfinch eggs are about the size of a blueberry!
Baby Goldfinches grow all their feathers in just two weeks!
A father Goldfinch helps feed the babies while the mother keeps them warm!
Goldfinches build their nests later than most birds, waiting until mid-to-late summer!
A Goldfinch nest is so tightly woven it can hold water like a cup!
Baby Goldfinches start eating seeds right away instead of insects like other baby birds!
Young Goldfinches learn their songs from their fathers!
Goldfinch chicks double their weight in just three days after hatching!
Habitat & Survival
Goldfinches prefer open areas with trees and shrubs scattered around!
Goldfinches love to live near meadows and gardens, where they can find plenty of seeds!
Goldfinches build their nests in trees or tall bushes, usually 4–14 feet off the ground!
Goldfinches can survive winter temperatures as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 °C)!
Goldfinches often nest near patches of thistle plants, which provide both food and nesting material!
Goldfinches can fly at speeds up to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h)!
Goldfinches use spider webs to hold their nests together!
Goldfinches migrate short distances to follow their favorite food sources!
Goldfinches are found in every U.S. state except Hawaii!
Goldfinches prefer to build nests in young trees rather than old ones!
Fun Facts and Comparisons
A Goldfinch weighs about the same as two sugar packets!
An American Goldfinch nest is about the size of a teacup — about 3 inches (8 cm) in diameter and 2 to 4.5 inches (5 to 11 cm) tall.
An American Goldfinch’s wingspan is about as wide as a standard ruler — around 7.5 to 8.7 inches (19 to 22 cm)!
Goldfinches are so light they can perch on a dandelion without bending it!
Conservation & Population
There are about 42 million American Goldfinches in North America!
Climate change might affect Goldfinches by changing when their favorite plants produce seeds!
Creating gardens with native plants like sunflowers and thistles helps protect Goldfinch populations!
Goldfinches are considered an indicator species, meaning their presence shows an ecosystem is healthy!
Goldfinches are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act!
Keeping cats indoors helps protect Goldfinches and other wild birds!
